Jaffna and North Zone

The second biggest Dutch fort built in Sri Lanka is an archaeological monument that has had a direct onslaught as a result of the recent 30 year armed conflict. An outer moat exists outside the ramparts. Outside the moat is the outer rampart which has built into it five tunnels each in a twin formation. The monuments within the fort had been destroyed during the conflict that raged in the area. Of these the monument named the Queen’s Palace is in sufficient level of preservation than the rest as it could be identified. Its superstructure is completely destroyed and the remaining walls are in the process of being destroyed due to the presence of invasive plants having taken roots in them. The fort is a free visiting area to the tourists during the day.

Been rebuilt coming closer to its original state, Jaffna public library was torched down in 1981 burning down with it at the time’s most valuable book collection in South Asia. The fire took down about 100,000 books and priceless Ola leaf manuscripts. The library has now been rebuilt with donations from around the world. The library garden’s a tribute statue to its founder Reverend Long, who said to have died hearing the news of original library’s destruction. The library allows visitors for peeks, but all sections are prohibiting the entrance of non members.

The windswept and bleak landscape to Delft, the uttermost inhibited island, contains the remainders of the Portuguese and Dutch periods, famous for its wild ponies, which come from a Portuguese breeding stock. There is also remains of a coral fort, fairly tumbledown but still recognizable. Behind the hospital, South of the jetty is a single baobab tree and further a large banyan, while at the southern tip the Quindah tower is an ancient navigational landmark. The town still has pigeonholes from the Dutch times of sending Colombo fort messages through a pigeon.

With the unity sign in place now after the war, Point Pedro is the northernmost tip of the island. Peninsula’s second largest town and neighboring India is a swimmable 32 km away. There’s a fishing harbor, a beach, and a lighthouse, which marks the most northerly point. Now being a very touristic area, still the point is in visible rule by the SL Army. There is said to be a tunnel which connects point to the Nallur Kandaswamy temple.

The North of the island, the nearest to the Jaffna town, is Kayts. Once had been a very wealthy, sought after living area, there’s still ruins of villas. The road ends at jetty for boats to Karaitiv Island and further is an army base. From such point, Indian Fishing boats are impounded from entering Sri Lankan waters. To the West the very well preserved Fort of Hammenhiel which is now converted as a resort and some parts of it is still used as a prison coming down from Dutch days. The South Kayts beach, Velanai is known for its smooth waters.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is a temple to the deity of Lord Murugan. The vast temple is mostly embodied in gold with miniature statues from top to bottom. As for all Hindu temples, Nallur Temple also has a pond in center. The main shrine is far inside the temple and a pilgrim can walk around the temple reading the wall paintings that say a cultural story. There is a dress code to enter the temple, women should cover the knees and shoulders, men are expected to enter shirtless. Photography inside the temple is prohibited.